● Campaign for Good Governance in Kogi State (CGGK) Calls for Tangible Development, Accuses Ododo Administration of Failed Leadership and Proxy Governance
The Campaign for Good Governance in Kogi State (CGGK) has issued a scathing statement urging Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to seek reelection based on his own performance, rather than riding on the popularity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The statement comes on the heels of the inauguration of a new committee, led by former Senator Smart Adeyemi, tasked with mobilising support for the reelection of both Tinubu and Ododo. CGGK criticized the political move, describing it as an attempt to “mask failure with borrowed popularity,” particularly given the exclusion of Kogi West from key leadership roles in the state since 2016.
“While President Tinubu has recorded commendable achievements across critical sectors of the economy,” the group said, “Governor Ododo’s administration is yet to show meaningful impact in the nearly two years it has been in power.”
Highlighting some of the federal government’s strides under President Tinubu, CGGK cited the reduction of debt servicing from 95% to 69% of national earnings, a 4.23% GDP growth in Q2 2025 — the best in five years — and increased allocations to states, including the landmark N2.2 trillion disbursed in September through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
The group also commended the student loan scheme benefitting over 600,000 Nigerian youths and the ongoing national infrastructure revival under the Tinubu administration.
However, the group sharply contrasted Tinubu’s achievements with what it described as “errant, thieving governance in Lugard House.”
In its strongly-worded critique, CGGK alleged that state funds in Kogi are being misappropriated by a small group of powerful individuals, with top state officials reportedly collecting billions monthly while basic public infrastructure remains in disrepair. “Kogi’s 21 local government areas are reportedly allocated N600 million each monthly, yet local Chairmen receive only N4 million to maintain the illusion of leadership,” the statement alleged.
The group described the situation in Kogi as a “tragedy of local government administration”, citing the failure to maintain schools, hospitals, roads, and basic amenities as evidence of widespread neglect.
“Except for the incomplete and already deteriorating ‘Audit House’ in Lokoja, the Ododo government has no major achievement to point to,” CGGK stated. “There are no visible road projects outside of Ebiraland, no significant water schemes, rural electrification, or education and healthcare reforms in other parts of the state.”
CGGK warned that no amount of endorsement campaigns would substitute for tangible governance. “Governor Ododo must understand that in 2027, he will be judged not by his proximity to President Tinubu, but by his visible impact on the lives of the people of Kogi State,” the group said.
The group challenged Ododo to emulate the developmental strides seen in states like Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Delta, and Osun, where first-term governors have reportedly delivered meaningful infrastructure and public service reforms.
“Governor Ododo has two more years to rewrite his legacy,” CGGK concluded. “Let him focus on delivering accountable and inclusive governance, and not on borrowing credibility from Abuja.”
